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Changing the World — One Dollar a Day #1DollaraDay

Charity has always been a part of my life.

From as far back as I remember, my Father was a member of the Rotary Club and my Mother the Women’s Auxiliary. Every Summer, we would head up to a camp for underprivileged youth and spend the long weekend fixing cabins and screens, shingling and whatever else needed to be done. Well, actually, my parents did that. My brother and I played with our friends, swam in the water and slid down the huge water slide. Another time, I had the chance to play the toy drum with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Massey Hall. Well, actually, I banged it a few times and off beat at that but I got to wear a pretty dress, shake people’s hands like a rock star and go out for dinner afterwards.

My parents made giving to others fun. I want to give the same gift to The Kids.

In turn, every year, around November we hold a charity gift drive where we gather presents from friends and family and give them to people in need, in honour of Alexanders life. When we’re in Mexico, we support the animals on the street by raising money in Canada through the sale of Mexican goods and use 100% of the profits for services like sterilization, immunization and finding them forever homes.

Since 2012, each month, I provide a forum for a fellow Canadian or Cause to guest post as the “I Am Canadian” feature of the month where they get to share a chapter of their story. Whatever that may be. We have been touched by stories of Transplants and Organ Donation as well as Patriotism and even some humour. We have met some great Canadians and there are a lot more to come. I am so fortunate to have such supportive followers that also love to meet and support others. I hope that you will consider sharing your story.

This month, The Kids started volunteering at House of Lazarus. For an hour a week, they put clothes on hangers, pick things up off the floor, clean up the toys and shoes and make sure that the kids room is neat. They enjoy giving to others that are less fortunate than they.

And, each week, we visit our local foodbank and thrift shop, House of Lazarus and Salvation Army where 100% of our donations and purchases go to support people in our community.

I am proud of the contributions that we make but I asked myself, “Can I Do More?” And the answer was Yes. So, I’ve come up with an idea.

40 down and 326 to go. It’s a start but I have a long way to go and I’d love it if you could help. I understand that everyone doesn’t have a dollar to give but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a difference. How about a tweet, a smile, support? If you’d like to support me, I could really use an extra set of eyes and ears to tell me about any Canadian Charities, Causes or People, that would benefit from my donation of $1 and being listed on my blog. Please contact me via whatever method is easiest for you or leave a comment below. And if you do want to give a $1 or join me in my goal, please leave your information below so that we can connect.

I am sure I can come up with a bunch more ideas for great places to donate $1 to where it truly will make a difference. Of the top of my head though a particular family from my community comes to mind. Sadly, recently a friend of mine passed away due to cancer, after fighting a courageous battle. Not once during the time she fought this horrible disease did she allow any negativity into her life and thoughts, she just kept on saying how she was going to get better and go camping this summer, how she wasn’t going anywhere as she had three children to raise.

Not only was she my friend, she was a friend and supporter of many in our community. She worked tirelessly in the social services field and helped many vulnerable youth get off the streets, away from drugs and onto bigger and better things. She truly cared about everyone she met and was a true community leader and just an all around wonderful person.

Her family is not only dealing with losing a mother and a spouse but with a huge financial burden from her battle with cancer. Any help they can get would be appreciated, and every dollar does count!

This is great of you to do this, and as I come across more ideas I will be back to post them.

Thank you so much for your kind words. We just do the best that we can with what we’ve been given. We are fortunate to have people in our lives that let us give. As you and I have discussed, it is better to give than receive.

Not sure if they accept $1 donations, because I haven’t checked, but what about MS? Every day 3 more Canadians are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and there’s currently no cure. One of them is my sister-in-law, so this obviously touches close to home for me. So we donate every year to MS – when she walks, when friends walk etc… http://mssoc.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage

My other near and dear charity is Frontier College – Canada’s oldest literacy organization. I volunteered (and briefly worked) for them for years running free reading circles and homework clubs for kids. They’re at http://www.frontiercollege.ca/.

Here is another idea. http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/en/ – Jumpstart helps kids that otherwise couldn’t afford it access physical activities in their community in addition to helping fund programs that community groups facilitate to help keep kids active. I can’t wait to see this list as it grows and what organizations end up on it. I will be donating to some of them as well. We are raising our kids with the same values as you around helping others and it is nice to see the kids step up and help others out.

It appears that you are as excited about this as I am. I’m honoured to have someone like you to share this journey with. If you’re so inclined, please keep me updated on your efforts. I speak from personal experience when I say that often I felt that I couldn’t make a difference but after reading similar experiences from others, I know that I can. We can.

I like to donate to the Surrey Place Centre Charitable Foundation. My oldest son has ASD and this place helps people who have developmental disabilities like Autism and Down Syndrome. Every program they offer is free to people who need it but they have a long waiting list for help. My son was on the list for almost 2 years before he got into a program. The more money they receive, the more help they can provide to those who need it. 🙂

Because of you, I have a renewed hope for the world. You inspire me everyday. You are one of the most loving, caring, thoughtful people I have ever met and I am very blessed to call you my friend. Seeing you and the beauties reminds me that there is goodness in the world. Peace and Love and Keep sharing your kindness everywhere. What a brilliant idea. <3 xoxo

This is an excellent post, Sarah. Great values growing up and now being instilled in your children. I really think that’s what it’s all about. The best part of this, is that you are not only giving back in ‘giving season’, like Christmas. You truly are giving all year round. I am really touched that you go out of your way for people and animals 🙂MrsWhite recently posted…Apartment Gardening: Our Balcony Oasis

The reason why we don’t give presents in December and/or in celebration of Christmas is because some kids don’t make it to Christmas but still deserve a smile.

Alexander died on December 19, 2009. On December 20, the hospital made personalized ornaments (with foot and hand prints) and they each got a huge hopper of toys that were donated by kind individuals. Alexander never got one.

It wasn’t about the things or even the fact that he missed Christmas. In fact, they offered me/him a hopper. It was the fact that he wasn’t included and would never celebrate another day let alone another holiday.

I love that you are doing this! It is true that even a dollar helps when we all chip in together. Molly and I support a little boy in Bolivia through Compassion International. We have so much compared to most of the world!Christy Maurer recently posted…Samurai Steakhouse Sushi Bar and Hibachi

This is really nice. I can’t understand why $1 donations wouldn’t be accepted. I think that’s silly. I wouldn’t expect a tax receipt or anything, but I am 100% certain that the saying “every dollar counts” exists for a reason. That’s too bad.

I love charities and I think we all try our best with giving.

I have a few favourites that matter most to me and that is where I put my money and encourage my children to put their energy or fundraising efforts.Peady @ Tempered with Kindness recently posted…Twinkle, Twinkle

I love WWF Canada, The David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action NS, Ducks Unlimited. Planets. So important to our survival.

I also love the Heart & Stroke Foundation, The Molly Appeal, and several others like Team in Training (which helps raise funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society Canada).

I know you want to donate $1, but does it matter *how* you donate it? I am thinking you could use your dollar to sponsor another person’s efforts. So, say a kiddo running for Terry Fox (Another fav of ours, btw).

Every nickel, every dime, every dollar is a help to charities. There are so many great charities and I understand the need for management, but I become discouraged about donating when so much of our donation goes to administration expenses. I look for charities where our dollar goes the furthest.

You are one of the kindest individuals I know. This is a fantastic concept that I am going to incorporate into our family. A dollar truly does make the world of a difference for someone in need.Carla recently posted…Naturally Flavoured Water Plus Giveaway!

I am glad to hear that Kayleen finally got the support that her family needed and is now focusing on giving back and to others in need. I hope that her run is a huge success and look forward to hearing all about it. I have added her cause to the list.